General Information

Position Title

Deputy Fund Director (Operations)

Vacancy Type

Internal candidates only

Job Category

Programme

Duty Station(s)

Yangon

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 12

Contract Type

ICA – IICA – Regular

Contract Level

IICA 4

Posting Start Date

05-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

19-Dec-2025

Duration

Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Job Highlight

The Deputy Fund Director (Operations) is a senior leadership position critical to the Fund”s success. The role requires navigating growing complexities in the operational environment and evolving donor requirements to ensure the Fund achieves its strategic objectives.

About the Region

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors – including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management – supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

About the Project Office

Established in 1996, UNOPS Myanmar is a key partner in the country’s humanitarian and development efforts, with a strong, long-standing presence on the ground. UNOPS supports both chronic and sudden-onset needs across Myanmar, offering flexible and responsive solutions. UNOPS manages several major development funds, including the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund, the Access to Health Fund, and the Joint Peace Fund. Through the Asia Regional Health Cluster, UNOPS also serves as the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and implements the Regional Artemisinin-Resistance Initiative Towards Elimination of Malaria (RAI3E) programme. UNOPS Myanmar”s core strengths lie in fund and programme management, infrastructure, and procurement, delivering tailored, high-impact solutions to support the priorities of government and development partners.

Job Specific Context

***** This vacancy is only for internal candidates.

The Access to Health Fund is a multi-donor fund established to improve health equity for the most underserved and vulnerable populations in Myanmar, particularly in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas. Administered by UNOPS, the Fund works with a wide range of partners to increase access to essential health services and strengthen local health systems.

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Fund Director, and as a member of the Fund”s Senior Management Team, the Deputy Fund Director (Operations) serves as the principal advisor to the Fund Director on all operational and compliance matters and is overseeing projects funded by bilateral and multilateral donors. This position provides strategic oversight and leadership to the Fund”s core operational and delivery functions to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and results.

The Deputy Fund Director ensures that the Fund”s operational architecture is robust, agile, and fully aligned with its programmatic goals. The position acts as Officer-in-Charge when required e.g. in the absence of the Fund Director.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Strategic leadership & advisory

• Serve as a key strategic advisor to the Fund Director on the operational feasibility and performance of Fund activities.

• Act for the Fund Director as required and represent the Fund to donors, partners, and other high-level stakeholders.

• Lead the conceptualization of operational initiatives requiring strategic attention.

• Drive the continuous optimization of the Fund”s operational structure to reduce costs while maximizing results.

• Ensure strategic alignment and collaboration with the UNOPS Myanmar Country Office, particularly the Programme Management Office (PMO) and Support Services.

• Lead on the side of the Fund the foreseen change management process related to the re-structuring of the Programme Management Office (PMO).

2. Results-based management & quality assurance

• Establish and oversee robust operating systems for monitoring the Fund’s performance and measuring progress against the Fund’s strategic objectives.

• Lead the Fund”s risk management framework, ensuring that risks and opportunities are proactively identified, assessed, and managed.

• Ensure all operational activities and outputs strictly comply with UNOPS policies, donor agreements, and quality standards.

• Oversee the development and simplification of results-based reporting systems for both internal and external stakeholders.

• Guide the preparation for and response to internal and external audits, ensuring timely implementation of recommendations, with the MMCO Support Services and PMO.

3. Operations & fund management oversight

• Provide unified leadership and oversight for all Fund-related operational services, including Finance, Grants, Procurement, and Contract Management, pertinent to A2H activities.

• Direct budget planning, financial forecasting, and resource allocation, ensuring transparent and timely financial reporting.

• In collaboration with other Senior Management Team members, oversee the full grant management lifecycle, from partner selection and due diligence to grant implementation and closure.

• Lead the Fund’s dedicated procurement team in sourcing medical/health-related products and services, ensuring that supply chain management is effective and compliant within a complex country context

• Champion the simplification of all operational processes to reduce the administrative burden on implementing partners and enhance overall efficiency.

4. Team Leadership & Innovation

• Lead, mentor, and develop Access to Health teams, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Model positive leadership, motivating and inspiring staff to succeed in a challenging environment.

• Drive the introduction of innovation, best practices, and new technologies to improve operational effectiveness and oversight.

• Institutionalize and share lessons learned to contribute to the Fund”s knowledge base and organizational development.

5. Change Management, transformation, and strategic assignments

• In collaboration with PMO, lead and coordinate UNOPS and/or MMCO change management and transformation initiatives across Access to Health Fund”s operational structures, systems, and processes to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with its strategic goals.

• Foster innovation and continuous improvement by promoting cross-functional collaboration and the adoption of new tools, technologies, and methodologies.

• Undertake additional strategic assignments as directed by the Fund Director, including institutional strengthening, improvement of governance structures, and coordination of cross-cutting initiatives.

• Assume additional portfolios or team leadership responsibilities within the Access to Health Fund, as delegated by the Fund Director.

Skills

Budget Management, Change Management, Innovation Development, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Master’s degree preferably in Law, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field is required.

• A Bachelor”s degree preferably in the above fields in addition of two more relevant years of experience (total of 12 years of relevant experience), may be accepted in lieu of a Master”s degree.

• Technical/Professional Diploma preferably in the above fields in addition of four more relevant years of experience (total of 14 years of relevant experience), may be accepted in lieu of a Master”s degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible, relevant experience in the areas of operations, administration, finance or programme implementation is required.

• A minimum of 3 years experience in managing grants, contracts and/or overseeing finance functions is required.

• Proven experience in a wide-spectrum of operations-oriented management, including but not limited to financial forecasting for project acquisition, budgeting, procurement and project monitoring is required.

• Experience in managing a team is essential.

Desired

• Demonstrated experience in roles with independence and decision making authority on budgets is highly desirable.

• Experience in managing a procurement team or overseeing procurement processes is considered advantageous.

• Experience with working or coordinating with donors is considered advantageous.

• Experience working with or exposure to donor organizations and experience in working with NGOs and civil society would be an asset

• Experience with UNOPS IT systems, regulations and rules is an advantage.

• Experience in setting up and managing programmes in conflict settings is an asset.

• Experience working in a culturally diverse setting would be an asset.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.